Contact friends and family for support. You may need help bathing, using the toilet, cooking meals, doing laundry or housework, shopping, going to your doctor’s office, and exercising for several weeks. Contact family members or friends ahead of time to make the necessary arrangements. If you don’t have someone to help you at home, ask your doctor about home caregivers. There are various support networks that can provide emotional support and, in many areas, there are also businesses that offer in-home support.
Get your home ready for your recovery. Store frequently used items such as cleaning supplies, food, remote controls, medications, and reading materials in easy-to-reach locations. Avoid very high or very low shelves as these may require you to use a step stool or kneel.
Plan for meals. Make and freeze meals or stock up on frozen dinners before surgery so that meal preparation is easier and requires less effort. You should plan on making enough meals for at least one week.
Check the safety of your home to prevent falls or tripping. Move long electrical and telephone cords against the wall, remove rugs, and place a non-skid mat in your bathtub. You may want to prepare a bed on the ground level of your home so you can avoid climbing stairs. Have an elevated chair or high-seated chair with arms in every room if possible.
A little time spent getting your home ready before your surgery can make a big difference in your recovery. Some ideas to get started, include:
- Stock up on toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, medications, and other personal items
- Put a chair in your shower
- Get a hand-held shower head
- Get a raised toilet seat
- Get a shower sponge with a long handle
- Put handrails in the shower and next to the toilet
- Install nightlights throughout the house
- Wash all your towels, linens, and dirty clothes
- Place loose clothing and pajamas in upper drawers or closets
- Reachers and grabbers will come in handy
- To keep your hands free for balance, consider using a walker basket, hip-pouch, small backpack, or an apron with large pockets to hold things you’ll want nearby
- Rent/buy/borrow plenty of books, movies, music, and puzzles
- Call your local post office to request that mail be left at your front door instead of in your mailbox